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Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Tack Ho Tribulations: Friends are the Worst

dressage saddle early days
There is a school of thought (that I somewhat buy in to) that says blog posts that are just a swag brag are in poor taste because they make horse blogs be all about $$$ spent on gear and not about actual horse things, which is tacky because gear isn't necessary.

I sort of agree with that.

But also I sort of don't.

Because sometimes things like this happen: You go on a total buying freeze all winter because you need to adult and clear out inventory and do non-horse things. But you don't get rid of your friends, because friends are nice. People need friends, don't they?

But then sometimes your friend just happens to have the perfect dressage saddle for you and your horse.

total saddle fit girth, amiright?
So you buy it.

But then you need a girth. And your other friend finds a nice quality one in the size you need in a brand name you didn't think you could afford used for a total steal.

So you buy that too.

they're super nice








But then you only have one dressage pad and ALL your jump saddle pads are super forward cut to accommodate your stupid femur, so they can't do double duty and your OTHER other friend finds you three nice dressage pads shipped for an absolute SONG.

Yup, bought them.

toys toys so many toys
Of course, then you're still stuck using brown jump leathers on your way classy get up until you go on a quick out of state trip with your Dad, who buys you dressage leathers. But since since you didn't have to pay for them and rolling polos is a b*tch, you couldn't help but notice the half price set of white dressage boots that needed a home.

Bought those too.

oh canada
Of course, then there was the problem of only having borrowed irons to put on those pretty new leathers, which is no good and yet another friend pointed you to a website you didn't need to know about that was clearing out the exact irons you needed.

Bought them. And bell boots, because who doesn't need bell boots?

very bridle
So then you're all set up for dressage until your favorite tack retailer decides to have a Valentine's sale. Who does that? You were determined to be good, but your wonderful hubs bought you the dressage bridle of your dreams.

So yeah, that showed up.

Well then it became apparent that the bridle had no sparkles or throatlatch and if you wanted to go to recognized shows, you would need both (NEED) and your one friend was like "hey I'd totes split shipping with you" and so yeah....

That happened.

much sparkle
And that's not even including how you made a flippant comment on instagram about how you needed a dressage half pad and this other friend was like "totes have one of those to send to you" and if you're a tack who, you obv suck at saying no. To friends.

can i get a hell yes?
So it's here.

And that's not including things like when through a very convoluted trade, a new breastcollar for your jump saddle just so happens to come live with you. It needed to loved, you know? Friends can't let friends let go of cwd breastcollars.

bright side: he looks fab
I don't really know where all this is going other than to say if you're trying to stay on budget, make sure you get rid of all your friends. They are absolutely HELL on budgets.










Noted: in fairness, I think I have two friends who don't cost me tack money. Lauren and JenJ, please stand up. Scratch that. Lauren stands alone.

43 comments:

  1. Friends don't let friends look anything less than awesome. What kind of horrible friend am I? Clearly I need to send you SOMETHING...

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    Replies
    1. This is EXACTLY what I wanted to say... So I'm just going to say, "LIKE!"

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  2. Baha, love this! I've definitely got a few of those friends.

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  3. Hey now! I once gave you money to get rid of things! ;)

    I've been looking at dressage boots for Pig's hinds. Buuuuuut ... $

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    Replies
    1. :-p I need more friends like you.

      Or you need more friends like me. ;-)

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  4. I totes agree with this entire post. I blame Amanda for all of my tack ho'ing, although Aimee you're on a WHOLE OTHER LEVEL of Tack Ho, and I applaud you for that.

    I don't cost you any tack money either (yet) :)

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  5. Haha friends are the worst. Amanda and I were quite bad for each other when I was riding. I figured adulting and taking a break from riding would save money but turns out - houses are expensive! So money has found ways to be spent still... Just on different things like mattresses and refrigerators! 😊

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    1. Ps I lovve my Cwd breastplate. You're a lucky duck to find things like that in trades. And to have all of the PS bridles... When I start riding again and find myself another horse I hope he/ she is less mutant sized and can wear their stuff!

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    2. I vote that you buy the horse according to whether or not it''ll fit into PS bridles.

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    3. Yup, def only buy horses that fit into the PS tack. Otherwise you will just be sad.

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  6. All I'm seeing in this is that we're all fantastic friends. You're welcome.

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  7. Well, to be fair, I'm about to be horse poor because you and 900 Facebook Pony turned me on to PS of Sweden and I must have one of their bridles (which I'm sure will multiply...)! But I do have to thank you guys for introducing me to that bridle for my mare. :-)

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    Replies
    1. SO WORTH IT. I never regret bridles.

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    2. I've been waiting for the High Jump to come back in stock so I can buy. I'm sad the reins don't come with it now so the price has gone up considerably, but hey, it'll last forever, right? :-)

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    3. I also am saving up for a High Jump...looks like they are in stock again. And I am sad that the price went up and the reins went away. I'll just have to save a little longer.

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    4. Yes! You can pre-order for when they come back in stock in April. Once we get through teeth, Coggins, and spring vaccinations at the barn, this bridle is next on my list!

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    5. The price went up because they went with a higher quality leather in the new batch, so don't be sad.

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    6. My bargain brain is having a hard time getting on board with shelling out what it considers "big bucks" for a bridle, but having done the research and read and re-read your guys' reviews on your blogs, I figure it's worth biting the bullet. I just hope it will help with my mare's frenzied rubbing after rides. I really think the bridle irritates her face.

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  8. I bet they all told you they were "helping you out" and "had your best interest in mind."
    You did get some pretty awesome stuff, though! :)

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  9. hey! Hey you! your friend on the east coast doesn't cost you a dime! 😉

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    Replies
    1. Though you spawned one that costs me bucket loads. Jury is out.

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  10. I will just live vicariously through your tack shopping and be over here buying extra tack trunks I may or may not need!

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    Replies
    1. I had that time in my life. You do need them.

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  11. I've been on a bit of a tack-ho period for myself. Needed a dressage bridle for my arabian mare - found a new European one (star brand) with freakishly nice leather and bling for $60 shipped, got it.... had to have a saddle that actually fits my freakishly petite self... ended up buying 2, sigh, but one is going to a new home in a few days. I am, however, still needing a dressagey saddle pad... :-/

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  12. Whatever, keep showing off your stuff. I love it. And Courage does look fab. Also, I'm doing a product review on the total saddle fit girth this week - it has literally changed my life!

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    Replies
    1. Oooh, excited for that! I think I might need one and I've been hearing conflicting reviews. My mare is built downhill in her back and the saddle slides forward on her withers.

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  13. I'd be happy to host that CWD Breastcollar if it happens to be considering a vacation in San Francisco ;)

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  14. I love you and am proud to be counted among your very worst tack-ho friends.

    And in repayment:
    DEAR EVERYONE,

    SB talked me into buying an Antares figure-8 for my horse who does not need it and, further, I am working with a coach who does not approve of such bridles unless STRICTLY necessary.

    So.

    Love,
    Jess

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    Replies
    1. (A used Antares figure-8, which I traded two girths for an paid less than $200 for in the end, and I had just sold a bunch of stuff so I had a little extra money, but still.)

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    2. But you did need it. And I'll probably need it when you don't any more.

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    3. Ha, yes. We are each others' tack lockers.

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  15. haha you have excellent friends :)

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  16. man, I have that breastplate 2nd hand too..I LOVE IT...I want more lol and love the bling...so much sparkle...so much love

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  17. Haha! I had volunteered to let someone use it to see if it was the size they needed for their saddle because I wasn't using it and it was just sitting there. Then I thought maybe I should sell it and then talked myself out of it and then I saw your post and figured that if you wanted it, I would sell it and if you didn't, I would keep it. I'm glad it has a good home though :) Plus, I've bought/want a few things because of your product reviews, so it really kind of evens out on the enabling department. I hope that you love all of your new stuff!

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  18. Totes awesome friends & you guys are gonna look the shiz!

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  19. I'm failing to see the problem here

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  20. I vicariously live through your tack-ho-ness and I love it. And you get GREAT deals through these fabulous friends!

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